Design of a Distributed Solar Microgrid for UNN Faculty of Engineering Power Supply

Chronic power supply instability at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka severely disrupts teaching, research, and laboratory activities in the Faculty of Engineering, with diesel generators providing unreliable and costly backup. This study designs a distributed solar microgrid for the UNN Faculty of Engineering, integrating rooftop photovoltaic arrays, battery energy storage, and a smart energy management controller to provide a stable and renewable electricity supply. Load audits were conducted across nine buildings in the faculty to establish peak and base demand profiles. System sizing calculations used HOMER Pro software to optimize panel capacity, battery bank size, and inverter ratings. The microgrid design incorporates a Raspberry Pi-based energy management system with a MODBUS communication protocol connecting to inverters and battery management units. System performance was simulated over 12 months using Nsukka solar irradiance data from NASA POWER. Simulation results indicate that a 45-kWp solar array with 120 kWh battery storage can supply 94 percent of faculty daily energy demand, reducing diesel consumption by an estimated 88 percent. Levelized cost of energy was calculated at 42 naira per kilowatt-hour over a 25-year project life, substantially below current diesel generation costs. The study concludes that solar microgrid technology is economically and technically viable for UNN's faculty power needs. Recommendations include phased implementation beginning with laboratory blocks and grant funding exploration.